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Mumbai/Bombay

Practical info Mumbai/Bombay, India

Getting around the city

The streets of Mumbai are chaotic and difficult to negotiate, but most attractions are fairly central and can be reached on foot. However, visitors generally opt for hiring a car with a driver by the day. The city's public bus service is government-run and consists of a fleet of red single and double-decker buses. The bus service is cheap and extensive, but the buses are almost always hot and crowded and it is not generally a pleasant way to get around. Suburban electric trains connect to the outlying areas, but are crowded, particularly during rush hour. Auto rickshaws are not allowed to operate in the centre of the city, but are cheaper than taxis and good for short distances. Metered taxis are plentiful all over the city and its surrounds. A convenient and comfortable hydrofoil service connects central Mumbai to many surrounding suburbs.

Time

GMT +5.5

Electricity

230 volts, 50Hz. A variety of power outlets are used in India, but most plugs have two or three round pins.

Currency

The currency is the Indian Rupee (INR), which is divided into 100 paise (singular paisa). Major currencies can be changed at banks, and authorised bureaux de change. It is illegal to exchange money through the black market and it is advisable to refuse torn notes, as no one will accept them apart from the National Bank. It is best to change money into small denominations. Major credit cards are widely accepted, particularly in tourist orientated establishments. ATMs are not generally available.

Communication

The international access code for India is +91. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)11 for Delhi. International calls can be quite expensive and there are often high surcharges on calls made from hotels; it is cheaper to use a calling card. Alternatively, there are telephone agencies in most towns which are identifiable by the letters STD for long distance internal calls and ISD for the international service. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main cities and resorts.

Climate

Mumbai has a tropical climate, with two seasons: wet and dry. Between March and October, the summer months, the weather in Mumbai is uncomfortably hot and humid. Monsoon rains deluge the city in mid-summer, and an excess of 30 inches (700mm) of rain has been known to fall in one day. July and August are the months that suffer most from the monsoon, and travel to Mumbai should be avoided during these months as it is inconveniently wet and travel can be disrupted. Between November and February, winter, the weather is dry and warm, with occasional chilly spells brought on by cold northerly winds. The winter months are the best time to visit Mumbai, as temperatures range comfortably between 74°F (23°C) and 86°F (30°C), meaning that visitors from colder climates certainly won't feel like they are experiencing winter. The spring and summer months are uncomfortably hot, with high humidity and temperatures often reaching 104°F (40°C).

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

Getting to the city

Taxis are the only direct transport from the airport to the city. Make sure to take a government licensed taxi with a fare conversion chart as unlicensed taxis are known to overcharge travellers. The Mumbai Suburban Railway Network consists of four lines, namely the Western, Central, Harbour and Trans-Harbour Lines; all of which connect to various parts of the city. The closest station to Terminal 1 (Vile Parle), is located in Santa Cruz, while the nearest station to Terminal 2 (Andheri) is located in Sahar. Both may be reached via a quick bus or taxi trip from the airport. Buses also travel between the airport and the nearby railway stations of Vile Parle and Andheri. Catch bus 312 in Terminal 1 and bus 321 in Terminal 2 to reach these stations respectively. Auto Rickshaws are also available at Domestic Terminal 1 for transfers to public transport.

Car rental

Car hire, with or without a driver, can be arranged in the Arrivals terminal. Passengers are strongly advised not to try drive themselves around Mumbai.

Airport taxi's

Pre-paid taxis are available outside Arrivals, at Terminals 2A and 2C. The journey time is approximately one hour to the city centre of Mumbai.

Transfer between terminals

The two terminals are connected by a free bus service which takes 10-15 minutes.

Facilities

Facilities at the airport include ATMs, currency exchange and a post office, left luggage services, executive lounges and a business centre, tourist information counters, duty-free shopping, childcare rooms, medical facilities, a prayer room and a smoking lounge. A variety of restaurants and fast food outlets are available.

Parking

CSIA has a car parking facility at both domestic and international terminals. Parking starts at about INR 110 for the first half hour and goes up to INR 1100 for a 24 hour period.

Internet

Free wifi is available in the airport, however a mobile phone is required.